Textbook-Integrated Guide to Educational Resources

TIGER

Nitrogen Oxides (GCMP)David M. WhisnantNitrogen Oxides: this is a resource in the collection "General Chemistry Multimedia Problems". Two of the most important nitrogen oxides, N2O4 and NO2, are in equilibrium with each other. We are interested in how this equilibrium shifts with temperature. General Chemistry Multimedia Problems ask students questions about experiments they see presented using videos and images. The questions asked apply concepts from different parts of an introductory course, encouraging students to decompartmentalize the material.

Equilibrium

How Accurate Is the Steady State ApproximationLars Ole Haustedt, Jonathan M. GoodmanThe steady-state approximation is commonly used in enzyme catalysis kinetics calculations, but how much error does the approximation introduce? This Java applet allows you to visually determine the accuracy of the steady-state and pre-equilibrium approximations.

Contrail. A Module from the Physical Chemistry On-Line ProjectFranklin M. C. ChenThe condensation trail, or contrail, that trails behind a jet plane is an everyday observable phenomenon. These manmade cirrus clouds can persist for hours, or even days and can spread over thousands of square kilometers. This is a concern because clouds are major variables that control Earth's atmospheric temperature and climate. Understanding the impact of contrails on Earth's climate is an active area of research. Further, contrail formation can be examined in terms of the operative thermodynamic phenomena. The process of contrail formation involves combustion, cooling, and ice formation, all common topics in the undergraduate physical chemistry curriculum. The project when it is subdivided into separate manageable subjects is a good, comprehensive exercise for physical chemistry students.

EquilibriumMatthew Sandberg, Mike BellamyUsing a visual approach, this applet is designed to help students learn to solve equilibrium calculations and also to help them gain a deeper understanding of the topic. It can be used by the instructor in the classroom as equilibrium topics are introduced. Sample exercises for students are included. The text is available in both English and Spanish.

JavaScript Programs To Calculate Thermodynamic Properties Using Cubic Equations of StatePatrick J. BarrieCubic equations of state are widely used by chemists and chemical engineers to predict the thermodynamic properties of both pure substances and mixtures. In particular, these equations enable predictions concerning the temperature and pressure at which vapor liquid equilibrium occurs. These two educational JavaScript programs perform calculations using cubic equations of state and, equally importantly, explain how the calculations are performed.

Mathematics / Symbolic Mathematics |

Chemometrics |

Thermodynamics |

Equilibrium |

Enrichment / Review Materials

Computer Simulations of Salt SolubilityVictor M. S. Gil, João C. M. PaivaComputer Simulations of Salt Solubility provides an animated, visual interpretation of the different solubilities of related salts based on simple entropy changes associated with dissolution: configurational disorder and thermal disorder. This animation can also help improve students conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium before any quantitative interpretation of equilibrium constants is attempted.

Computational Chemistry |

Solutions / Solvents |

Thermodynamics |

Equilibrium |

Precipitation / Solubility

Connected ChemistryMike StieffConnected Chemistry, a novel learning environment for teaching chemistry, is appropriate for use in both high school and undergraduate chemistry classrooms. Connected Chemistry comprises several molecular simulations designed to enable instructors to teach chemistry using the perspective of emergent phenomena. That is, it allows students to see observed macro-level chemical phenomena, like many other scientific phenomena, as resultant from the interactions of many individual agents on a micro-level. This perspective is especially appropriate to the study of chemistry where the interactions between multitudes of molecules on the atomic level give rise to the macro-level concepts that students study in the classroom. Connected Chemistry comprises molecular simulations embedded in the NetLogo modeling software (1). The collection contains several predesigned simulations of closed chemical systems to teach specific chemistry concepts. Currently, Connected Chemistry contains models for teaching Brønsted Lowry acid base theory, enzyme kinetics, radical polymerization, buffer chemistry, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, and crystallization. Instructors and students can individually tailor the predesigned simulations or generate new simulations as they are needed in the context of a particular lesson, classroom, or department.

Acids / Bases |

Gases |

Kinetics |

Nuclear / Radiochemistry |

pH |

Titration / Volumetric Analysis |

Polymerization |

Equilibrium |

Catalysis

Introduction of Aquatic Chemistry in General Chemistry Curriculum;Spreadsheet Calculation ApproachesChulsung KimFundamental aquatic chemistry concepts may be introduced in general chemistry classes by computing ionization fractions and buffer intensity of aqueous phase carbonate systems. This Excel spreadsheet may used to build graphic presentations of a titration curve, distribution diagram, and buffer intensity as a function of pH. Accompanying activities are designed to enhance the concepts of acid-base equilibrium through exploring the relationship between pKa/pKb, pH of the solution, ionization fractions, and buffer intensity, and to exercise students graphing skills.

Acids / Bases |

Aqueous Solution Chemistry |

pH |

Titration / Volumetric Analysis |

Water / Water Chemistry |

Equilibrium

General Chemistry Multimedia ProblemsDavid M. WhisnantGeneral Chemistry Multimedia Problems ask students questions about experiments they see presented using videos and images. The questions asked apply concepts from different parts of an introductory course, encouraging students to decompartmentalize the material.